Environment

Industrial Timber and Lumber is committed to responsible forest stewardship. ITL owns and responsibly manages over 50,000 acres of pristine timberlands. This significant landholding represents a substantial commitment and investment. ITL takes personal responsibility for sustaining the timberlands, wildlife habitat and ecosystems in which we work, because a healthy forest and environment mean a healthy future for all of us. ITL’s commitment is substantiated. ITL was one of the first hardwood sawmills to obtain Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) Certification. FSC is the only third party international certification entity recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and its LEEDS program. ITL’s Ridgway, Pennsylvania division first received FSC certification in 2000. All ITL facilities became FSC Certified in 2009. Also in 2009, ITL was recognized by its peers and was presented with the prestigious NHLA Forest Stewardship Award. In 2011, all of ITL’s timberlands became FSC Certified.

ITL employs a staff of highly educated and trained professional foresters. Our forestry department is constantly seeking better ways to conserve the natural resources that provide the raw materials we supply. ITL’s foresters actively practice the principles of sustainable forestry by using Best Management Practices (BMP’s).

The Lacey Act Information

The Lacey Act (the “Act”) was first enacted in 1990. An Amendment to this Act was passed in May, 2008. The purpose of this new Amendment is to prevent trade in illegally harvested lumber and wood products made from such lumber.

The Act, as amended, now requires the importer of a plant product (including lumber and wood) to make a Plant Import Declaration. The declaration requires the species genus, the quantity and the value of the import, and the name of the country where the timber was harvested. Effective April 1, 2009, enforcement of the declaration requirement began.

In order to comply with the Act, please be advised that all imported plant products purchased by Industrial Timber and Lumber Company are now accompanied with an import declaration.

As the Act also applies to domestically produced plant products, as well as those imported, please be assured that Industrial Timber and Lumber Company requires all vendors to declare that the lumber has not been illegally harvested.

Industrial Timber and Lumber is using due care to ensure that it trades legally sourced wood and plant products.

BMP’s are “scientific tools and methods designed to help forest landowners, foresters, and timber harvesters practice good management.” The BMP’s represent state of the art knowledge on how trees should be harvested for timber production, while enhancing wildlife, preserving aesthetics, ensuring future forest regeneration, and protecting soil and water quality wetlands and area of special concern. BMP’s are then used to practice Sustainable Forestry, which is a concept for managing renewable forestry resources. According to the American Forestry and Paper Association (AF & PA), Sustainable Forestry means managing forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is done by practicing a land stewardship ethic, which integrates the growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air, water quality, wildlife and fish habitats. Both ITL’s forest resource staff and ITL’s contracted harvesting and hauling contractors have completed the Sustainable Forestry Core Curriculum.

The certified wood movement also adheres to the practice of Sustainable Forestry. The difference, however, is that in order to be “certified,” there is a “certified” third party independent, non-industry evaluator. ITL has third party certification through the SmartWood organization at all of its facilities and timberlands. Due to the nature of the hardwood industry, there are few producers who have become “certified” and of those, a limited volume of lumber can be classified as “certified.” In addition to company owned timberlands, ITL, as well as most hardwood companies, procures timber from private landowners. It then becomes the mission of ITL and its representatives to ensure that the timber and lumber it purchases is legally harvested and conforms to the FSC “Controlled Wood” standard. ITL employs sound harvesting techniques to protect the landowner’s investment and its own reputation.

It should also be noted that timber harvesting is not done without governmental regulation. Authorities provide regulation, which requires that a soil and erosion plan be available for every timber harvest. Water pollution is highly monitored and regulated by local and state environmental enforcement agencies, which impose substantial penalties for non-compliance. ITL also complies with EPA regulations, which include storm water discharge and air emission permit requirements.

ITL is committed to exceeding expectations through problem solving, innovation and continual improvement in every aspect of its business. ITL’s commitment to the environment has been a major company focus since its inception over 50 years ago. Sustaining our timber resource for future generations will continue to be a top priority.